Archive for the ‘Daily Posts’ Category

Here’s a look at what I’ve been working on for the past two weeks! I am venturing into the very unpredictable medium of watercolors! Wish me luck! Sorry about quality of pictures. I would love to find a fine art photographer so you all can really see the true quality of the work! Look out for more as I continue to pursue my goal to complete 20 pieces by the end of June!!!!

PENCIL PORTRAITS.

'Alice'

'playing dress up'

WATER COLOR PORTRAITS.

'Adrienne'

'Alyssa'

Hello there! Haven’t blogged in forever! I just watched what was probably a very old episode of Ugly Betty, the one where she goes to London in place of Daniel and runs into an ex-boyfriend who reminds her that she should be pursuing her passion – which wasn’t fashion- instead of following a career path that was really only meant to be a stepping stone but had turned into her life!  I heard explosions going off in my head for the second time this week!!! Another sharp reminder that I had lost my path, or have been procrastinating following it for some time now…

Yesterday, I was visiting a fan page of a fashion illustrator and found out that there was this amazing exhibition called  Line of Style: Fashion Illustration Spanning the Globe at Gallery Nucleus in LA from April 3, 2010 – April 26, 2010!!! I was excited and depressed at the same time. Why? Because fashion illustration is alive and kicking right here in LA, where I’m at AND depressed because I didn’t know about it!! But never the less, it inspired me to get right back into fashion illustration – my first love- and give it my all! It inspired me to learn from others, to do research, to DRAW, DRAW, DRAW as if my life depended on it. It gave me hope that something I love might actually be a purpose or a path for me in this life, something that I am naturally able to do, but have been struggling with fears and doubts for some time.

These two eye-openers plus the illustrated cover of VOGUE’s 50th anniversary issue a few months ago should be all the inspiration I need to get going. Coupled with acceptance into a few exhibitions and one Gallery…..what the heck am I waiting on? Fashion Illustration as a career – not just a hobby – here I come!!!!

Thanks for reading!

Fashion Illustration by Naja Conrad-Hansen

Here’s another face I drew….her name’s Giselle!

I have been recently inspired to do more faces. Here are some new sketches, just the beginning. I feel like the more i draw faces, the better I will get at them . I will post more as soon as I do them! I love detail and that very ‘mysterious, innocent’ look……

My  most recent project has been ‘Window Dressing’!  I am really happy to be able to use my creative skills to enhance the beauty of something or someone.  In this case, I had a cool opportunity to create these huge, hand-painted panels of stylish girls for the store front window of Taylr’z Joynt Boutique.  Though you can’t see the paintings in detail from a distance, once you are in front of the window, its  hard not to look at (as the neighboring store owner pointed out)!  It definitely has brought in some more customers and hopefully created some interest from Ventura Blvd’s passers by!  Stop by and see for yourself! I love the turquoise in the window, gives it extra pizazz!

I recently saw the cover of the 5oth anniversary issue of Vogue Australia. It was illustrated by renowned fashion illustrator, David Downton. There are four collector’s edition covers that I would love to have since I’m so glad to see fashion illustration grace the cover of a magazine. You can check them out if you haven’t already! It’s encouraging to see fashion illustration in all it’s glory.

Vogue Australia September 2009

Isn’t Sunday morning wonderful? Im gearing up for more illustrations and to put myself in the right mood, I’ve put some classic Nat King Cole on.  Always play  music that makes you feel good  while you draw. It keeps you happy and inspired! Just a thought!

Nature boy by Nat King Cole

Finished two more editorial style illustrations of my ‘New Yorker Fashionista’. I’m thinking her name should be Brooke – named after a friend of mine who is definitely a New Yorker/Fashionista.

I love drawing girls in cute clothes. I think it is fun to create a new character who has her own personality, mood and style every time I put pencil to paper. An illustration either makes me want to create what my girl is wearing or be that girl, whoever she is. This is my latest illustration. She is quite a sophisticated lady but with her loose side bun and hibiscus flower in her hair, she is instantly feminine and sweet to me.  Let’s call her Marie!

Marie